Last September, I posted about Wachovia adding a $50 annual fee to its individual investor discount brokerage account. I was disappointed I couldn’t get it waived, so I decided that I would transfer my funds out in 2005 before getting charged another annual fee in September. The account termination fee was $75, so I’d be paying $25 more up front, but saving money down the road by investing with a no-fee broker.
I received notification today that as of May 1, the account cancellation fee will increase to $95. This account is costing more money than it’s generating.
Goodbye, Wachovia — hello, Scottrade. I filled the forms out as soon as I got home. I’m not waiting until May 1 to take care of this. I’ll also switch my investment from AIVSX to VTSMX or something similar, once everything is settled.
Also: I’m going to be on vacation starting Friday and returning the following Saturday. If you’re interested in guest-blogging on Consumerism Commentary, let me know by sending an email.
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Updated February 6, 2012 and originally published April 11, 2005. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
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Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 3 comments }
I don’t see how a brokerage firm can get away with charging a termination fee. I would raise all kinds of hell over that.
JLP
AllThingsFinancial
I have been having an “issue” with Schwab over their $45 inactivity fee & $95 termination fee. Next week I shift over to Scottrade. How is Scottrade treating you? Do they allow dividend reimbursement of stocks in your portfolio? (I heard they once did not.) I am looking forward to Scottrade but rumors keep swirling that they will be the next firm to be bought. Just my luck I’ll leave Schwab & then find out I’ve been bought back by them.
Comments appreciated.
scottrade will never be bought out